On holiday it is difficult to resist the lure of Acapulco's golden beaches, but there are numerous things to do away from the sea and sand. Active pursuits like bungy jumping, horseriding, mountain biking, golf on one of four great championship courses, or tennis are available. Local operators offer popular jungle tours, taking visitors into the Laguna de Tres Palos swamp to play at being Tarzan among the tropical vegetation. There are numerous other excursions on offer, from swimming with dolphins to snorkelling expeditions, and folklore shows to sunset cruises.

Spanish is the official language in Mexico. Some English is spoken in tourist regions.

Mexican currency is the New Peso (MXN) divided into 100 centavos. Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Travellers cheques are generally accepted, but cannot be cashed on Sundays. ATMs are available in most cities and towns and are the most convenient way to get money, but for safety reasons they should only be used during business hours. Although most businesses will accept foreign currency it is best to use pesos. Foreign currency can be exchanged at one of many casas de cambio(exchange houses), which have longer hours and offer a quicker service than the banks.

There is often a lot of oily discharge in the seawater of Acapulco from the use of jet skis. Visitors to Acapulco are strongly advised to avoid the resort during America's spring break in mid-March as hoards of student revellers descend on Acapulco for spring break mayhem and partying.

Flashing lights, pumping music and boundless energy are the characteristics of Acapulco's frenetic nightlife, which centres on the clubs and discos of the main strip and Las Brisas. Clubs like the renowned Palladium, where the legendary 'silver man' fire dancer performs in the early morning hours, make Acapulco a hot favourite destination for young spring-break revellers from the USA. Those looking for a more Latin experience head down to Ninas, a traditional Mexican salsa club where the locals burn up the floor. For visitors interested in seeing some authentic Latin American Salsa dancing, head to Salon Q, 'the cathedral of salsa'. Disco Beach on Costera Aleman is well known for its popular Friday night foam parties. Mandara up on the side of the mountain, with its panoramic views of Acapulco by night, is one of the best places end your evening and wait for the sun to rise before another day on the beach. Most of the dance clubs open at 11pm, close at 6am, and charge a fairly steep entrance fee, but this includes 'all you can drink'. Those taking a break from dancing can enjoy bar-hopping along the Costera, which is lined with numerous exuberant open-air watering holes.

Acapulco's scenic setting around a picturesque bay allows for some magical and romantic dining opportunities in a multitude of restaurants while on holiday. Cuisine of all sorts is on offer, the quality generally very high and the prices very reasonable. Some of the best restaurants use a fusion of styles and cuisines to create something unique and special, like the Kookaburra, with its spectacular terrace views of Acapulco Bay, creating delicious French dishes prepared with Mexican ingredients. Also renowned for its originality is El Olvido Restaurant, which is pricey but worth every penny, with a menu featuring signature dishes like honey-coated quail and sea bass spiced with savoury cilantro. Mexican seafood is a top favourite with visitors, well exploited by most establishments, like the El Amigo Miguel off the main town square where delicious shrimp and grilled red snapper medleys are specialities of the house. Other firm favourites include Pampano Restaurante and Lounge with its spectacular views of Acapulco and Zuntra, where the chef offers up a unique fusion of Mexican, Mediterranean and Asian tastes.

One of the pleasures of a holiday in Acapulco is shopping for souvenirs, of which there is a plentiful, varied selection gathered from all over Mexico. Handmade leather goods, locally made textiles, beautiful pieces of silver jewellery, bright and beautiful ceramics, and even inspiring paintings by local artists are just some of the things on offer in the markets, stores and beachfront stalls. - The older areas of Acapulco have a number of well-priced tailors and quaint souvenir shops. A good spot to indulge in some bargain hunting is the open-air artisan's mall opposite the Plaza Bahia, where it is possible to do a little haggling for arts and crafts. The native-made goods may be appealing, but just as desirable for avid shoppers are the many upscale boutiques selling well known designer labels which pepper the streets of the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone), also dubbed Mexico's 'Sunset Boulevard'. As far as ubiquitous modern malls go, Acapulco's biggest, complete with food court and cinemas, is Le Gran Plaza, situated on the Costera.